Our View: West Monroe has been fortunate

Few cities the size of West Monroe have been fortunate to have leadership at the helm like Mayor Dave Norris for more than three decades.

Norris has once again been returned to office unopposed, as has his entire Board of Aldermen.

That doesn't speak to apathy on the part of citizens of Norris' fair city. It speaks to confidence in how things are going.

The core city has faced the same kinds of issues other cities face. There are challenges to reclaim older neighborhoods that have declined. There are challenges to build a solid retail environment that provides sales tax revenue.

But Norris doesn't intend to coast through his 10th and final term in office. After 36 years, he still has major goals he wants to accomplish before turning in his keys to the city.

Those goals include major infrastructure upgrades, completing a shopping center and continuing to protect the Sparta aquifer.

"If you hear anything about the council that's negative, people will say they just do whatever the mayor says," Norris said. "That's certainly not the case. We've disagreed about a lot of issues a lot of times, but we've tried to always make sure it wasn't a personal thing."

The secret to the success of West Monroe's government seems to be open and honest communications. Norris said he tries to speak with each alderman before their meetings to minimize surprises and iron out differences of opinions.

That is advice other governmental entities could certainly take to heart.

"We have an excellent relationship because he keeps us informed and doesn't take action on a single thing without telling us," said Fred Ragland, an alderman who took office the same year as Norris. "He makes decisions based on the unanimity of the council."

Norris will need those bonds as he and his alderman formulate plans for the infrastructure improvements he'd like to see started by the end of his final term. Norris said the neighborhood streets need resurfacing, and to do that, the water and sewer lines below them need to be in good condition.

Such infrastructure projects are expensive. West Monroe will likely need to pass a millage, increase sales taxes or both to accomplish the project.

The next four years will be interesting to watch as the city tackles these challenges.

But Mayor Dave has more than three decades of trust and goodwill with his citizens. Few public officials in America have that.

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Our View: West Monroe has been fortunate

Few cities the size of West Monroe have been fortunate to have leadership at the helm like Mayor Dave Norris for more than three decades.